Lupercalia: The Great God Pan Purifies The City.
So yesterday was Valentine's day, huh? Sure seemed like it to me, anyhow. Jenny & I had reservations at Beer Table, but she was going to have to meet me there, so I had a bit of time at home by myself. I spent it watching an old episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic called "Read It & Weep." Rainbow Dash is laid up with injuries, & despite thinking books are for "eggheads"-- an opinion the other ponies think is ridiculous-- she gets caught up reading the Daring-Do series. Which, for the record? Includes a NeverEnding Story homage, a ton of Indiana Jones references & has a Ahuitzotl as a bad guy; an Aztec monster that is sort of a monkey-dog with a hand for a tail that likes to tear out people's eyes. After the episode with wendigos, I am not surprised. Then, to Beer Table! We got the prix fixe menu, which came with beer pairings...but first we started with a bottle of Stillwater A Saison Darkly, a dark pale ale? I liked it, but then I like malty beers as a rule. The first course was Montauk oysters, paired with Hitachino Nest Ancient Nipponia. The Ancient Nipponia is made with some nearly extinct & forgotten barley, & it uses the Sorachi Ace hops, which means the nearest comparison is the Brooklyn Brewery Sorachi Ace, another beer we really like. I think the Nipponia is actually better; or anyways, new enough & interesting. & hey, I really wanted oysters! The next course was Jenny's favorite, I think-- flatbread with cheese, honey, arugula & pickled onion. It was like a fancy little pizza, & the beer for it was Hopfenstark Ostalgia Blonde, a golden vegetable tasting beer from Quebec. I'd seen it on the menu & it had caught me eye, so I was happy to get a pour. The folks at Beer Table had said it reminded them of bell peppers, but I didn't notice that, though it was herby. Good thing, too; I hate bell peppers. So much. The main course was seared beef heart in spicy beet puree and Jerusalem artichokes with spicy sweet potatoes. It came with Alvinne Gaspar, a Belgian strong ale that lived in the back of our throats; just lots of bitterness & action flat on the tongue, if that makes sense-- it did to Jenny, anyway, when I said it. The last course was a selection of cheese-- a sheep's milk & a cow's milk called "Humblepie"-- & chocolate, set alongside a T'smisje Dubbel which was so plummy that it almost had to be a desert beer. We were so dang full! Jenny & I hung out a little while flirting & then came home to watch...the new episode of Cougar Town! Or as the title card says "Yes we are still called Cougar Town, we're not happy about it either." & Jenny gave me the present she got me; a huge painting of origami cranes, in honor of the thousand she folded for our wedding.
